The Velvet Rope

November 26, 2008

Power trip

John Mayer's craving for the spotlight has landed him at No. 11 on Details magazine's Power 40 List -- with the exclusive title of "press whore."

Mayer's photo-op prowess is what sealed the deal, Details says. From his pleading for anti-paparazzi legislation at L.A. City Hall to giving an impromptu news conference about breaking up with Jennifer Aniston to the pack of photographers who mysteriously knew he'd be outside his New York gym at the exact time he was there. Other stars on the list included Tom Cruise (No. 7, leading man); Robert Downey Jr. (No. 19, actor), Nick Jonas (No. 24, guitarist/singer); Lil Wayne (No. 29, crossover kid) and R. Kelly (No. 38, singer).

Spears' language lesson

Britney Spears' life may be on the up and up, but her sons' mouths are going to potty. "It's weird, 'cause they're starting to learn words like 'stupid,' and Preston says the 'f-word' sometimes,"

Spears told Rolling Stone in its December issue. Spears lost custody of Sean Preston, 3, and Jayden James, 2, to ex-husband Kevin Federline last year and currently sees her boys three days a week.

"He didn't get it from us," Spears said. "He must get it from his daddy."

2.3 million

Total viewers who watched Sunday night's "A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All!" It was the highest-rated basic cable show on Sunday prime time among men 18-24 years old, according to Nielsen Media Research. So, there's that.